Love's Laughing Locksmith

Saturday, April 5, 2014

I got bored, was going to sprout beans and corn. I did not want to spend large for a small mouthed mason jar with a screen lid. I went to the local Hobby Lobby, bought a single wide mouthed jar, and a 10 pack of Plastic Canvases. They came in different sizes. The 3" was just too small for the wide-mouthed jar. So I popped another dime for the 4.5" circles, went in about 4 squares and cut away. Now I have a screened sprouter for 15 bean soup mix. I am reliably informed all 15 items will sprout, I used to cull out the split peas and legumes to cut down on disappointment when I was helping grade school kids grow things! One teacher used the culled items, and made a soup in a potpourri pot.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

A little over ten years ago, I was active in scouts, and a teaching assistant in the local grade school. It was a real tough job. I'd round up some 5 to 7 ounce paper cups, a fifteen bean soup mix, and some miracle gro potting soil. Usually I'd get a dozen plastic spoons too. After a few times, I'd figured out that 5 of the fifteen beans would not grow under this method. I'd saved them the bother of finding this out the hard way. I could shepherd a half dozen classes through growing their ten styles of beans. I wish I'd known of aquaculture back then. My mission was mainly esteem building. Show them they could get some plants to grow. Some of these kids were emboldened to go on to grow more things. Two of them were recently arrested for growing something legal in Washington State, but illegal at the Federal level.

I figure I should tell the story of Ruby, while she's still alive and she's the only dog who was here when I had a family.
Our Dog Copper had to be put down. He only made a few years past ten. My Rottweiler Chester was moping around and Dad practically ordered me to go get Chester a dog. As Copper was a Cocker Spaniel, Dad thought we should get a Cocker as a replacement. We went out in the country. Really just a few miles down the road. A family there had a litter of pups for sale. The male was already sold. I knew that it was going to be her. She was colored just like a Rottweiler. Yep I'm a racist, live with it! I did bring her sisters to the van to check first, both of them were speckled pups. Dad has a thing against that. They swarmed all over my brother. He is leery of dogs not ours. Was. The pup who became Ruby just lay at his feet and waited for him to respond.

-Fast Forward Ten Years-

Dad knew he wasn't much longer for this life. He wanted me to put Ruby down when he died, and have them cremated together. She had been his dog since she came home. She loved the rest of us, but Dad was her favorite. It was slightly cruel, but I told him no. I wouldn't murder Ruby, just so he could have comfort now. It's almost been a year, and Ruby's still going strong. She has a fatty tumor on her back leg. She needs to take care as she goes up the stairs. I hope I will have the strength that Sean and his wife displayed when Ruby's time comes. She's tough and loving, and I have to ask myself if I'll have what it takes to let her go before she feels too much pain.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Right now, I am looking closely at building a 'Teardrop' Trailer!
I am probably the only Scout ever to have built a mini cabin, at every
nightly stop, in a two week hike!
I can't help it! I can't stand living out of a tent!
Now, at 51 years of age, I really hate the idea of sleeping on the
ground. Maybe the teardrop could serve as the bedroom, and kitchen, of
my future mobile lifestyle. me! Two Dogs! and as few possessions
dragging me down as I can manage! I wish I could go back in time and
start over at 17.....

Check out this Video! It may change your life!

I want to get a free trailer off Craigslist, and build one of these puppies!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

This story came on TV at a pivotal time in my life, just before I learned to drive. Before I became involved with computers. Before my life went down the track that took me to where I am today. My life would have been so much different if I had went totally the way of the outdoorsman. Watching the episodes again after almost thirty years, I am openly weeping at the end theme of the show. Denice thought "Our Song" was "Psycho Killers" by the Talking Heads. I was gobsmacked when she could sing the Grizzly Adams theme. That really was "Our Song". I am having the loss, almost three years ago, come crashing in on me again. The one woman who really got me, understood me, torn from us so cruelly.

I just want to go into the wilderness. Hopefully forget the grief, and remember the joy.